St. Joseph 42, Branson 40

I feel for the players on the Branson team. That is the toughest way to lose a basketball game that could ever be drawn up or concocted. What a remarkable comeback by St. Joe’s…they deserve credit.

There is plenty to discuss, so I’ll just open this up as a thread for any thoughts on the NorCal finals. Feel free to post your thoughts on the game, the strategy of both coaches, plays, players, poor free-throw shooting or even the bad call by the officials with 20.6 seconds left, giving the ball to St. Joe’s when they shouldn’t have, according to the CIF rulebook.

I thought the San Marin-Terra Linda overtime game would be the craziest game of the season. This one was crazier.

39 Responses to St. Joseph 42, Branson 40

Officials at this level should know the rules of the game. One of them not knowing the base line rule, ok! but all three getting it wrong, shameful. Making the free throws would have taken the sting out of this terrible call and won the game for Branson, but not today. I loved watching this team. There was never an easy win yet they kept winning. The roller coaster ride was the most exciting and nerve racking I’ve ever been on in my 65 years. I’m happy and sad the season has ended. Another game like that would kill me.

Mixed feelings about seeing Branson go down. I hink we should take a step back and look at what a tremendous season it was for MCAL and Marin basketball as a whole. All the teams were supposed to be in “down” years, but they all put on a tremendous show every night and made it one of the more enjoyable seasons in recent memory. It is a shame that the refs made a pretty bad call, but they are prone to doing that and is just part of the game.
I’d be curious to see an absolute end of the season MCAL power ranking

Here’s some exciting thoughts from Marin gym rats in general: (a) there is no more boring basketball than Branson. Yes they won-the record speaks for itself. They don’t run. They walk the ball up. They take their time on offense. Most kids would rather play real ball than play there; (b) their fans are disgusting-their adults stand and cheer when the other teams misses free throws (this happens even when they are ahead by a mile-oops-the lead is solid unless you’re playing St. Joes). The parents talk about “doubling-up” (if we hit another three-we’ll be up by double again) an opponent (you have to admit, many of the Division 5 programs they face in the playoffs are simply horrible). Even with solid leads, they’re complaining about every call-every call. My thought after spending considerable time in their midst: pretend like you’ve been there before (with 5 state championships in recent history-one might think they’d show some class). Sorry, it’s just what I’ve witnessed; and (c) Pinewood-Fulton was outcoached and St. Joes, Bob was outcoached and team simply gave up. What else could it be? The dynatisties are over. Later.

While the St. Joe’s team did come out with a lot of energy in their pressure defense in the 4th quarter, I do think that the refs had a lot to do with their ability to make such a large comeback. I remember I checked the time before the 4th quarter – the first 3 quarters took less than an hour. The 4th quarter took at least 30 minutes. There were SO many fouls called on Branson in the 4th quarter – I believe they started the quarter with 3 fouls and ended with at least 11 or 12, and they were not making a lot of contact at all. Meanwhile, St. Joe’s players were ALL OVER the Branson players and the refs rarely made a foul call. Sure, Branson missed 6 of 7 free throws, but they only took 7, while St. Joe’s must have taken about 20.

My personal opinion is that the referees got caught up in the St. Joe’s crowd and the excitement of the comeback and let that affect their calls, so much so that they became partial towards St. Joe’s. That’s why they changed their minds and called the travel on Gabe.

Branson had an amazing season, and in my opinion, earned and deserve the NorCal title.

I thought it was interesting how the articles didn’t say almost anything about the bad reffing calls in the fourth quarter. From where we all sat in the stands, it seemed the refs got caught up in the St. Joe’s comeback and didn’t keep the game fair. Just the fact that the second that game was over the refs disappeared shows they knew they threw that game away and gave it to St. Joe’s. But it was good season, they made it farther than anyone anticipated. It’s just too bad that a NorCal finals game was decided by refs.

About a month ago I was watching Kansas play Texas on ESPN. The commentators (Brent Musburger and Bobby Knight) were saying that Bill Self, the Kansas head coach, should be the unanimous choice for national coach of the year. Their reasoning was that Kansas lost 80% of their scoring from last year and yet Coach Self was leading them toward a Big 12 title.

Anybody know how much point production Branson lost from last year’s team?

96%. And Branson still won 30 games. What Donlan has done this year is incredible, and he has a bright future ahead of him.

Joe Sterling– you should be allowed to have your own opinion on the current parents and their actions but you obviously are clueless about basketball.

As you said, “Most kids would rather play ‘real ball.'” HAHA This years team, which was composed of a group of kids who had absolutely no varsity experience to speak of, ran through their pre-season, regular season and playoffs with only a few losses. And, yes, they played some awful D-5 teams in the process. But, they beat the rest of the MCAL during the season. So are you angry about how they didnt play “real ball” when they were beating your team?

Bob Donlan did a great job coaching this years team. He had to have a tremendous amount of patience, as his players needed time to gain experience and confidence. I wasnt at the games this weekend, but he obviously made great adjustments from the NCS final. Yes, they gave up the game with untimely turnovers and missed free-throws ( and it looks like some bad-calls) but overall, a good showing from him and his team.

Joe, you should know something before you try to hate on Bob or his team. The state championship dynasty is over, but they made a great effort. And Joe…I don’t see the MCAL banner hung up in anyone else’s gym. Maybe the rest of the league should try to adapt their style’s from “real ball” to whatever Branson and Bob Donlan is doing. I really hope your views do not represent that of the “Marin gym rats i general” because that would make a lot of people mistaken. “Later.”

I mentioned the call in my article. It was a bad call that potentially cost Branson the game. That much is certain. However, how many other events in those final 3 minutes also potentially cost Branson the game. Other than the Avins call, which was wrong, any other negativity toward the refs in my story would be unprofessional on my part. It’s subjective to say the refs got caught up in the comeback. Maybe they did. It certainly could be argued. But a newspaper article is a place for facts first. We can argue the rest in places like this forum.

For the record, I do think the officials let the game get a little bit out of control. Branson maybe panicked a little and contributed to the “out of control-ness” of it all. I dunno, what do you think?

After the game, our reporter Dave Curtis asked the referees, who were in the hospitality room with Donlan and his assistants, about the call, and they just told him to drop it. As he continued to ask about it, they pretended he wasn’t there. One of them told Dave to “get over it.” Get over it? Sure, Dave, me and other members of the media aren’t the ones devoting the countless hours to the season in the gym. We’ll “get over it” just fine. What about the kids whose high-school career ends on a call that is made because all three officials trust the word of Don Lippi, rather than know the rule for certain. Unfortunate.

Anyway, those thoughts are my own opinions, and wouldn’t be appropriate for an objective account of the game.

How certain is everyone (anyone) that it was a “bad” call. I spoke to another coach about it and according to him, the rule is, “after” a made basket, you can run the baseline but the controversy I guess is that the “last” action was not a made basket but was a kick as you duly noted in your article and after that running the baseline was not allowed?

I hate to see something so important as a kid’s last high school basketball experience get chalked up to a “bad call”.

Marie —
Let me clarify that final ruling about the kicked ball.
The reason the referees were wrong is right in the rule book. Rule 757b (I read it myself, with the assistance of a CIF official who is in charge of referees) states that if, after a made basket or free throw, there is a “violation” during the inbounds play, the team inbounding the ball retains the right to run the baseline.
The reason for this rule is to make sure that a foul, or in this case a kicked ball — which the CIF official said clearly is a violation — cannot benefit the offending team.
I think the problem is that most coaches are unclear on the rule. The shame is, the referees are paid to know the rule.
When I told coach Lippi about the rule as St. Joe’s was getting ready to board its buses, he said he was surprised. If a coach of 30 years isn’t sure about the rule, clearly other coaches could be wrong, too.

The loss to St. Joe’s was unfortunate and involved a few important factors: bad refs and a wrong call, missed free throws, and frenzy of emotion that St. Joe’s was able to ride to make up a huge margin in just a few minutes.

The reason I’m writing, though, is to point out that Joe Sterling is a [basketball] ignoramus. But an ignoramus with strong opinions which makes him all the more frustrating.

First off, playing in an open gym here and there or watching a few games each week does not make you a basketball authority. You are not part of the higher basketball community and it shows.

Coaches (college and other hs) would certainly respect the Branson style and its ability to get the most out of its players. You don’t win without defense. What excuses do other teams have for not playing help defense or getting back in transition? It’s boring? It’s too hard? It takes the fun out of the game? Come on. There is no excuse.

And having offensive sets gives kids who perhaps aren’t the most assertive or adept on offense the ability to hit open shots. Why don’t other teams do this? Because drive and dish is easier (albeit less effective)? Because the sets are hard to execute? No real excuse, yet again.

Players who want to play in college would have a hard time finding good reason to choose another MCAL school over Branson. (There are perhaps other reasons for not choosing Branson, but not from a pure basketball perspective.) You learn the right way to play (in a greater basketball sense, not Joe Sterling’s rec league sense) and college coaches respect that. Look at the track record of recent college recruits. Maybe undisciplined rec league ballers would rather play at other schools (and lose), but real ballers would rather play for Branson. Oh and one more thing – in case you haven’t experienced it, Joe, winning is fun. So there’s that, too, in choosing a program.

Get over your Branson negativity, Joe. Or how ’bout your negativity in general (see other posts). It’s not a great way to be.

Excellant. Anonymouse doesn’t have guts to disclose identity-so-we have no way of knowing his/her basketball resume. Let’s start with this: in the County, only MC and Branson can attract kids from other schools and cities. Is this not a tremendous bonus? Isn’t it fair to suggest that the CIF banners are really salutes to two anomolies: the McNalleys and the Bilneys? Fortituous. A minor blimp in the scheme of things. Happened once, won’t happen again. One family from the City. One family from the Tam District. Luck. But good luck. Second, how did Fulton get to Branson and secure the Bilney twins without serious money which no one has accounted for, yet. How does one respect college style shenagians in high school? Third, bad refs and a bad call doesn’t explain blowing a 20 point lead with 3 minutes to go. Karma, maybe, explains that. Fourth, Anonymouse has no idea what I know or don’t know about basketball. Fifth, a good number of male players are playing college varsity now-only one went to Branson-and he was from the City. Sixth, you’re wrong about the real ballers-none of them want to go to Branson. Simply, my man, ask them (just run down the list of the guys who make all-Mcal this year-get their phone numbers, call them). Once you’re done, give us a report. Seventh, you haven’t responded to the post about their adult fan base-I’ll assume your silence is assent to the truths outlined below. Finally, the league has gyms full of MCAl banners and state championship banners. Aren’t you missing something in the other gyms? Other teams lost all their starters-San Marin and Redwood-and had great seasons. Look at some of the teams Redwood played preseason and the runs they made in the upper divisions. Who knows what they’d do in Division 5. I know what Branson would do in Division 2 or 3-nothing. Branson had a good run of luck with the McNalleys and the Bilneys and benefit from an archaic rule which places them in a lower division due to school size, regardless of their actual ability to recruit and attract players from the Greater Bay Area. And, as Anonymouse says, I don’t know anything about basketball.

Pardon me for asking, but did Branson’s coach say anything at the time of the incorrect call? Yes, you would expect the officials to know all of the rules, but it doesn’t always happen (I recall an MCAL softball playoff game in 2001 where the three umpires and both teams’ coaches ended up being corrected in a rules situation by the P.A. announcer), and in a situation like that, once play resumes after the mistake, there’s nothing anybody can do about it.

I don’t believe Bob was 100 percent sure of the rule 757b. However, he thought at the time that Avins could run the baseline. Lippi thought Avins couldn’t run. It was basically two coaches’ opinions of what they thought the rule was, without anyone (including the officials) knowing the rule.

There are two other issues:

1. Why didn’t the official tell Avins he couldn’t run the baseline when he handed him the ball. Normally, a ref will tell the player if he can or cannot run.

2. Branson was granted a timeout after Avins took two steps. During the timeout, Lippi alerted the refs to the fact that Avins ran the baseline. In other words, if Avins hadn’t called the timeout, St. Joe’s couldn’t have protested the ruling. Branson got its timeout back from the refs, but it seems a little strange that an action (Branson’s timeout) was able to be reversed by the officials. Though I’m not sure if something like that can or cannot happen.

I guess I’m not sure if anyone yet has with certainty shown that it was the right or wrong call. I know here everyone is saying it was a bad call. Some coaches I have spoken to say it was the right call. Dave’s theory makes the most sense by his reference to not benefitting the offending team. Is there anyway to view the CIF Rulebook online?

Also, how does everyone think Branson will fare next year. Every year everyone says, “Well it’s over now. All the Seniors are gone.” Then Championship after Championship win later everyone is scratching their heads! You know what I think? I think Branson wants everyone to think it’s over and then the next thing you know your tail is kicked!

Not only do I have the current rulebook, but I have something called the “Case Book” which includes resolutions to various situations. On page 58, there’s the following (excerpted):

7.5.7 SITUATION B: Team A scores a field goal. B1 picks up the ball after the made basket, then proceeds out of bounds to start the throw-in process. B1 runs along the end line out of bounds while attempting to find an open teammate for the throw-in. Immediately after B1 releases the throw-in pass, the ball is kicked by A2 near the end line.
RULING: A2 has violated by kicking the ball. Team B will be awarded a throw-in and retain the right to run the end line on the ensuing throw-in.

(Little-known fact: if the throw in is an alternating possession throw-in, the arrow does not change. The same is supposed to apply if there is a foul by either team before the throw-in is legally touched by someone inbounds or there is a violation (but not a foul – long story) by the offense.)

Note to Kelly: officials quickly leaving after a game is over is pretty much standard procedure in a close game, and has been for decades. This is in part to prevent irate fans from stopping the officials from leaving the court. Once the officials leave the court area, the game is “officially over” and no changes can be made unless, for some strange reason, the game is tied and the officials were not aware of this.

Note to Marie: there’s no such thing as the “CIF Rulebook”. California uses the National Federation of High Schools rulebook for basketball (as well as pretty much every other sport except golf, tennis, badminton, and girls’ lacrosse, since NFHS doesn’t publish rules in those sports), with a modification for shot clock rules (and, for girls, the “no 10-second backcourt count” and “no 5-second guarding count while someone is dribbling the ball” rules), which aren’t in the book.
(The CIF bylaws aren’t specific as to which shot clock rules to use – they just say “utilization of a 30-second (35 for girls) shot clock”. However, I have never seen a game where they didn’t use NCAA shot clock rules.)

There are no online copies of the NFHS rules; one of the ways the organization makes money is to sell rulebooks. You can order them from http://www.nfhs.com, but they’re $7-8 each. (NCAA rulebooks, on the other hand, are available for download from http://www.ncaa.org.)

“Anonymouse” here. Joe, was that a less than clever play on words, or an accidental misspelling like your “excellant”, “anomolies”, “fortitious”, “shanagians”, “McNalleys”, “blimp”? Your way with words! Let’s go tit for tat.

OK, I’ll admit it – my basketball resume is more accomplished than yours. Sorry I didn’t disclose that initially.

I’m not making excuses for blowing a 20 point lead. That happened and was a unfortunate string of events for Branson (fortunate for St. Joe’s!), and Branson has to take some responsibility for that. I never contested that St. Joe deserves some credit and Branson some discredit. Did things go St. Joe’s way on the officiating end? No question. But Branson still had a win within their grasp and let it go. “Stealing defeat from the jaws of victory,” as some say.

I’m also not making excuses for the Branson parents. Maybe they do deserve some criticism. I don’t even know. But I suppose it falls to you for dolling it out. I would, however, venture to say that other teams’ parents have their faults. “Let he who is without sin throw the first stone.” I’m not sure that’s you, Joe.

Branson had no McNally or Bilney this year and they still won the double MCAL. The only MCAL team the Branson boys didn’t beat was Novato (the girls were perfect), so you’re MCAL hegemony for 2008-2009 needs some reworking. What runs did Redwood make in the upper divisions? In the preseason, they lost to Lick (division V). They beat some unfamiliar teams and lost to some familiar ones (Sacred Heart, Castlemont, and Salesian). Then they rattled off a few MCAL victories (and lost some close ones along the way), and finally lost in the first round of MCAL and NCS. But to answer your question, I’ll tell you what Redwood would do in division V – they’d very likely lose Branson, just like they did in MCAL. (Why’d you set me up for that one?) In the end, I liked Redwood’s energy and athleticism, but they didn’t accomplish much. At the same time, I’m expecting good things from them next year. But also from Branson.

Finally, you’re right, I don’t know if the all MCAL squad would rather play at Branson. But your challenge is ridiculous – call them? What I’m saying is that Branson plays basketball the way most colleges play basketball but without the firepower. So, sure, it’s a little boring. But it wins. And ball players like to win. And college coaches also like winners. Some coaches and players like to run and gun, and that’s fine, but that didn’t work in MCAL this year. There are a few MCAL players playing college ball right now, and more than one is from Branson.

Anyway, keep talking, Joe. I love it. The more you talk, the more you expose how little you know. And in the public record no less! I will say that your negativity is unhealthy though…

Type fast, some mistakes. So what Mr. Mouse-still not willing to identify yourself?! Merely repeating, again, that your basketball resume is robust doesn’t make it so. Here’s the bigger point about Branson parents-sorry it was beyond you (we haven’t compared intellectual resumes, have we)-they’re blessed-talented kids, sufficient funds to pay the $100,000 needed to attend, 5 state championships in last few years-and-they’re so horrible? If you are attend so many events-why didn’t you notice this? Where’s the class. As I indicated, act like you’ve been there before, especially when you’re trouncing those horrible D5 squads in NCS and NorCal. Yes, double MCAL, but not state, eh. Branson also lost to San Marin, again, wondering if you really know anything about MCAL basketball. Branson played Redwood once-Branson beat St. Joes once-then, St. Joes beat them twice in a row. Question was, which you conveniently ignore-is-how would Branson do in higher divisions? Exactly, poof, nothing. Reason I asked you to call them, simple, I know them, I’ve heard from them, and they don’t want to play there. Which Branson male players are playing varsity ball in college now, other than Oliver? Since you can’t address the real issues-just blabbering away about Branson this/Branson that–not addressing questions/issues…….do they have advantage by recruiting and accepting kids from homes no other MCAL team can accept? Did the girls get a windfall with Fulton/Bilneys based upon under the table monies paid? How much of their real success-State Championships-basically due to luck of Mcnalley boys and Bilney girls? This gives you a chance to show what you really know (you can’t even get Branson losses or Branson male varsity players correct). Make fun of me, for sure. Mr. Basketball, you’re not. Mr. Knowledge, you’re not. but, I love your BS. Take care.

I don’t have much to say – I agree with Joe Sterling about the Branson parents, but you see it with fans and parents of any team. Kids’ sporting events lead to altercations all the team because parents are obnoxious. People over 30 are pretty irritating in general and aren’t to be trusted.

I disagree with Joe Sterling about being outcoached – amazing point. St Joe’s were like “Let’s get down by 19 points and then double our scoring output in the last 3 minutes of the game.” Coach Honick went on record with Brian saying there’s nothing he would have done differently. It was an amazing fluke, congrats St. Joe’s. You win the privilege Branson would have had of being humiliated at state.

This new info that Lippi discussing it was the impetus behind the call being overturned angers me – that’s nuts. He should apologize.

Too bad this has now turned personal rather than about basketball, but on that note, I have a question. Everyone seems to be dropping the same old names, “McNally,Bilney” but it is my understanding and this was quoted by the then Branson coach, that a player by the name of “Kalome” (I may have misspelled it) was the most influencing for Branson’s last State Championship.

I have spoken about this with the Headmaster of the Branson School, Woody Price, as well as the former Headmaster of the School (during the time when the Bilnneys an McNallys were admitted to Branson), and they have stated that BRANSON DOES NOT RECRUIT STUDENTS FOR BASKETBALL OR ANY OTHER SPORT. Branson students are chosen based on their grades, PSAT scores, applications, essays, interviews, and overall personality, diligence, willingness to work hard, etc.

And Branson did not solely win MCALS because of the Bilneys and the McNallys. I’m pretty sure both teams proved that this year.

“Which Branson male players are playing varsity ball in college now, other than Oliver? ”

Jenny Lloyd at Washington University in St. Louis. Rebecca Cohn at Trinity College. Sam and Rachael Bilney (Sam is currently out because of a knee injury, though) at Richmond. Xander McNally played last year at Denver. Ryan McGuigan plays JV at Harvard. Kalome Akhile plays JV at USF.

This is my final post. Mr. A has revealed him/her self. First, I offered Oliver as only male Branson player on varsity college squad. Noted, many others from MCAL squads. Mr. A lists some women and a few JV guys. As I said, just one. Second, the four year rate is $100,000. I’m happy Mr. A has financial aid. No one said they were rich or spoiled-in fact-I offered thoughts on their parents. Me thinks thou does protest too much. I’m amazed at this smart and dedicated line-a little arrogant. Of course, when compared to public schools which take all comers, you’d find some extra smart people at Branson. Wondering why Mr. A thinks they are all extra dedicated also. Mr. A, that is part of the reason people dislike Branson. Mr. A has problems with numbers, again-there are 750 boys at Redwood, not 1,000. I think, if Redwood, Drake, TL or Novato could grab a kid or two from other districts or from the City or from the East Bay, what would their squads be like. Of course Mr. Price would say that doesn’t happen. And you expect us to believe that. Ask him about what Coach Honich did to a player at practise before State last year and then tell me about Branson ethics. I know your website is full of noble thoughts-it’s just that reality is different. Mr. A also alluded to his basketball chops-now-we hear he’s just a high school student. This reinforces my view of ethics at Branson-say what you want, but when the truth arrives there is a vast gulf. The point was, if Bilneys werent at Branson (Mr. A, please, ask around, find out how they got there, find out what John did for the program), where would they be? If McNalleys in the City-where they lived-where would Branson have been? Mr. A inadvertantly makes my point: if Redwood has 5 times the boys as Branson, how does Branson win MCAL? I forgot, Branson kids are smarter and more dedicated-pity me. Regarding college basketball—the top 4 seeds in NCAA tourney (with quite a few NCAA championships amongst them, at D1 level, not D2 or D3, or D5 like Branson)-they average 80 points per game (when college D1 average is 75). If you look at Branson’s points per game, it’s way below the MCAL average. So, I don’t think, Mr. A’s points about Branson are correct. They do play good D, though. Others should strive to play better D. Later.

Hey, I dropped one stat-in comparing Branson to top 4 seeds in NCAA-Mr. A’s allegation that Branson plays ball like college teams…………average MCAL points scored, 51, Branson 45……..the exact opposite of the best college teams. This, for sure, is it, later.

Joe is forgetting his own unintentional joke. I am Anonymouse. Someone else (actually lots of people!) are Anonymous. I know it’s subtle, but still sad for Joe.

Anyway, I think it’s clear Joe is a little delusional. I say good riddance if he happens to keep his promise of last post. If not, no matter. I think we’ve all come to see that he’s someone who can cause a good stir but who doesn’t really deserve the time to rebut.

Need to clear up one last thing. My post-males playing varsity now. Sutton, nor Liss, are listed on their team rosters. By the way, wondering, with Branson kids so smart and committed, how could Liss give up Berkeley for Pomona? Not so smart. Was wrong about Honich and Price-for entire season, total of 13 minutes of action out of 12,400 minutes played for combined teams (like, almost no time). This probably confirms Anonymous’ idea that college coaches really like the skills brought to the table by the Branson players-they like them so much that, in every 40 minute game, the Branson guy gets 12 seconds of action to stymie the opponents and wow the crowd. Excellant points. thank you.

Wow, spirited posts. Some things I think are worth exploring. Branson plays great defense-for years now, they allow 10 to 14 points less per game than other MCAL squads. Since defense wins games, you can only salute the coaches and the players for their hard work, discipline and dedication to defense. In addition, as their schemes, and other effective defensive schemes are known to all-any MCAL team could decide to crank up the D and limit opponents’ scoring. On the offensive side, who knows. Branson played more up tempo in recent years. They do take more time to pass, cut and look for the open shot. Can’t say whether their schemes are better than other MCAL squads here. For college players, I think it started with Gene Barnes, who played at UCLA. When you add in Berkeley and Duke, it’s hard to argue that Branson hasn’t had more guys playing college ball than other squads. I guess, the ultimate issue is, why is that true? Put another way: would those kids have gone so far if they played on the high school team connected to their domicile? The issue of recruiting always annoys the public schools, but Branson and MC may have advantages which flow simply from ability to admit kids from the entire county and, in some cases, from outside the county. In a sport of 5 players, with a need to be at least 7 or 8 deep-picking up 2 or 3 strong players will make a difference. Coaching is important, but, I’m not convinced that, or the smart and dedicated Branson concept, explains the 1 to 5 student population deficit with the MCAL and state successes. I don’t know if anyone can say that is the biggest reason-but it certainly has to be one major reason. Finally, Branson, San Marin (a victory over Branson) and Redwood all lost most if not all of their starters and made the playoffs. Good seasons. While Branson finished 2 games short of the Holy Grail this season-their effort may, in reality, rival Honich’s threepeat–their top 8 guys had almost no Varsity experience last season. Incredible. Honest commentators, including some Branson parents, would have placed Branson in the middle of the MCAL pack before practice began in early-November. Regarding St. Joes-sometimes, regardless of one’s best efforts, the stars, the gods, the fates, and luck all run against you. A perfect storm. I think, at the end of the day, one should salute: all the coaches who put in so much time (probably over 600 hours per year) for the kids (with little or no monetary reward) and the kids who sacrifice much (over 20 hours per week during the 4/5 month season and countless hours working on their game in the offseason) to entertain us all and defend the honor of their high schools. I’m sure there are many smart and dedicated students at all MCAL high schools.

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